Question:

 

Do the principles contained in the testimonies Ellen White wrote to specific people about specific incidences still apply to us today?

 

Answer:

 

Looking at this from a biblical standpoint, Paul said to Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  II Timothy 2:15.  [Emphasis added.]  The Spirit of Prophecy is part of “the word of truth.”

 

There are testimonies and prophecies in Ellen White’s writings that may not directly apply to you or to me personally, such as the testimony where Ellen White said that ladies as well as men should learn how to harness a horse.   (Education, 216, 217.)  She was stating the practical truth for her time.  Statements she made about bicycles and horses may well apply to automobiles and tractors today.  From a practical standpoint, we can see that our religion needs to be applied in all our everyday activities.

 

“Great truths must be brought into little things.  Practical religion is to be carried into the lowly duties of daily life.  The greatest qualification for any man is to obey implicitly the word of the Lord.”  Christ’s Object Lessons, 359.

 

We are blessed in having the instruction from the Spirit of Prophecy as a guide in our daily living.  We may follow the principles given in these inspired writings in our business transactions, our health questions, our family discipline, our worship, our preparation for eternal life, and our social life.  God has been very gracious to give us divine instruction on many things.  These instructions are not rigid rules, but helpful guidelines to give us happiness while we are occupying this earth.

 

The following quotations from Ellen White’s writings are cautions we do well to heed:

 

“It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies.  Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition.  When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction.”  Testimonies, vol. 4, 211.

 

“When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s word their rule of life will be revealed.  In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage.  So the falsehearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent.  Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.”  The Great Controversy, 602.

 

Jesus is coming to take us home.  May God bless you as you make your calling and election sure.